Clinical study of laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse

Rectal prolapse was one of the earliest surgical problems recognized by the medical profession, yet many facts of its aetiology and treatment remain controversial. Prolapse of the rectum vexes patients with misery it causes to them. The presenting complaints may be related to the prolapsed itself or to the disturbance of anal incontinence that frequently accompanies. The study comprised of patients admitted for elective surgery for full thickness rectal prolapse. 30 patients were taken for laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy after clinical evaluation and ethical clearance. The study was done to assess the outcome of laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy with reference to; operative time, post-operative pain, return of bowel function, hospital stay, complications, functional outcome assessed by improvement in constipation, incontinence and straining, conversion to open and mortality. Most common age group in our study was 61-70 years. In a total of 30 patients ,26 were females and 4 were males; ratio of male: female being 1:6.The operative time was calculated from placement of 1st port till the procedure was finished; range of operating time was 91-140 minutes with mean of 118.67±9.82 minutes. Post-operative return of bowel function was calculated on the basis of passage of flatus after surgery. The mean duration of ileus after surgery were 27.4±1.54 hours ranging from 25 to 30 hours. Postoperative pain was quantified using visual analogue scale score (VAS score). From our study, we conclude that laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy for complete rectal prolapse has good functional results, low recurrence rates and has proved to be a feasible and safe procedure as supported by the literature.